Trailer for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle movie has been branded 'cringeworthy' by critics

Trailer for Harry and Meghan: Escape from the Palace leaves viewers reeling with it's 'ridiculous script' and 'over-dramatic' acting (but some say the 'cringey' tone is a perfect fit for the couple)

Lifetime released first trailer for movie Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace
Social media users took to Twitter and branded 20-second clip 'cringeworthy'
Shows actors Jordan Dean and Sydney Morton stepping into the royal roles

By Chloe Morgan and Charlie Lankston for MailOnline

Published: 10:42 BST, 24 June 2021 | Updated: 10:53 BST, 24 June 2021

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Social media users have slammed the 'ridiculous script' and 'overdramatic acting' in the first-look trailer for Lifetime's upcoming movie about Megxit that imagines the lead-up to the Sussexes' controversial move to the US at the start of 2020.

In the short clip, actors Jordan Dean and Sydney Morton can be seen acting out several heated discussions between Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, in which the former is seen expressing his fears that his wife is being 'hounded to death'.

'I see you literally being hounded to death and I'm helpless to stop it,' the actor tells his on-screen partner, echoing comments made by Prince Harry during his Apple TV+ series, in which he said that his late mother, Princess Diana, was 'chased to death' and admitted that he was afraid of 'history repeating itself' with Meghan.

But while some criticized the 'awkward and fake facial expressions' in the 20-second trailer for the movie, which was posted to the network's Instagram account and is due to premiere later this year, others suggested the 'cringey' tone was a perfect fit for the royal couple.

'I have to congratulate Lifetime. You have perfected the overall CRINGEY tone of the Sussexes' themselves FLAWLESSLY !! The ridiculous script, over-dramatic emoting voices, awkward & fake facial expressions. MASTEFUL biopic,' wrote one.

A teaser for Lifetime's upcoming movie about Megxit has been branded 'cringeworthy' by viewers. Pictured, who plays Prince Harry, 36, and Morton, who portrays Meghan, 39, are seen recreating the Sussexes' explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey

The short trailer offers the first look at actors Jordan Dean and Sydney Morton stepping into their royal roles (pictured)

One social media viewer penned: 'I have to congratulate Lifetime. You have perfected the overall CRINGEY tone of the Sussexes' themselves FLAWLESSLY!' (pictured)

A second penned: 'Oh my goodness… I can’t stop laughing. I thought this was a joke, then realized it is actually a movie…which made me laugh even more… How awful is this movie just from the trailer,' while a third added:

'Just when I thought you guys couldn’t come up with something more cringey, you have outdone yourselves.'

The trailer for the movie, which was shot in Vancouver, also shows Dean and Morton reenacting scenes from the Sussexes' bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired in March, sitting down in a lush garden while wearing near-identical outfits to those modeled by the Duke and Duchess for their primetime chat with the TV mogul.

Despite being short, the trailer suggests much of the plot will focus on dramatized versions of Harry and Meghan's private conversations about whether or not they should quit the royal family.

Spot the difference? The actors modeled near identical outfits to those worn by the Duke and Duchess during the primetime sit-down (pictured) and they sat against a very similar lush garden background

Emotional: The trailer also sees the actors playing out imagined conversations between Meghan and Harry during which they tell one another, 'I can't lose you'

Terror: One clip in the trailer shows Dean lurching out of bed in the middle of the night, having apparently been woken by a nightmare, while Morton is seen cradling her on-screen son in the background

Taking to social media, one person commented: 'This looks so bad I have second hand embarrassment for everyone involved' (pictured)

At one point, Morton is seen breaking down in tears and being comforted by Dean, however she also reassures her on-screen husband of her abilities to handle any challenge that is presented to her, saying: 'I am the person who is strong and gets things right.'

In what appears to be a sign that the on-screen Sussexes will ultimately choose their relationship over their commitment to the royal family, the duo are seen telling one another, 'I can't lose you,' while Dean kisses Morton on the forehead.

The movie trailer depicts the two royals as being very much in a state of turmoil over their decision to step back as frontline royals, with Dean frantically lurching up out of bed at one point, apparently waking from a terrifying dream, while Morton is seen cradling a baby in the background.

Taking to Twitter, one person penned: 'This looks so bad I have second hand embarrassment for everyone involved,' while another agreed: 'Omg I can't stop cringing. That's got to be the biggest cringe fest since Galloway was a cat on big brother.'

A third questioned: 'Who on earth could sit through this?' while a fourth commented: 'For the love of God if the real version wasn't bad enough they now bring out the s***ing movie version SOMEONE MAKE IT STOP.'

Another asked: 'Is this supposed to be a comedy?' while a further replied: 'Did wonder if it could be part of the Carry on franchise.'

Filming on the movie began last month in Vancouver, where its stars have been regularly photographed filming a variety of scenes - including a recreation of Princess Diana's deadly car crash and a reenactment of a home video that Harry and Meghan shared during their Oprah interview.

Young star: A baby boy who is thought to be playing the role of a young Archie is also seen in the teaser trailer

First look: The new on-set snaps were taken exactly one week after the first photo of Dean and Morton as Harry and Meghan was shared by Lifetime. The photos showed them wearing outfits that look just like those sported by the Sussexes last March

The Duchess of Sussex: Actress and blogger Morton is best known for her roles in Netflix shows She’s Gotta Have It and Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

The Duke of Sussex: New York-based Broadway actor Dean has made several appearances on Broadway in hit shows like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Mamma Mia!, and Cymbeline